CHAPTER FIVE

A. NAMES OF HINDU TANTRAS

The whole of India was once bathed and illumined by the Tantric Cult.

I hi

Tantric Cults all-pervading nature, immense popularity and ritualistic approach promptei
Tantrics to preserve and promote this Cult and transmit it to generations. Ultimateh thi
led to the birth of the vast and encyclopaedic Tantric Literature in the forms of 1antr
texts, commentaries and digests.
During the peak period o f Tantra, innumerable Tantra works emerged. A grea
scholar o f Tantra writes.1
We hear from Tantric teachers that the number o f treatises on Tantra is one lak
and some say that it is even more. Moreover, a particularly trustworthy community hold
that even now there is no cessation in the creation of Tantras, and that there will also be n
such cessation in all the ages to c o m e ................. There can be nothing to wonder at
new Tantras daily appear in the world.
Tantric treatises are still very numerous, though the greater part has been k>
destroyed or missing.2 A vast number o f Tantras have disappeared forever. Of

tho-v

which survive, a large number is unknown. Most o f those which are available are

fragmentary character.3
Moreover each one of the Tantra schools has its own Tantras of which the <
were at one time probably one thousands. Besides, original treatises, there is a lar i

1. POT, p.535.
2. SAS, p.439.
3. Ibid, p. 134.

18-

number o f digests and commentaries. Moreover, the number of Tantras existing in thmanuscripts is far larger.45
So divergence views on the exact number of Tantra are natural. Sa"nkaracary;t
says in his Saundarya laharfThe Lord of creatures having created the entire universe with the sixty four (6
Tantras, the chief sources of occult powers remained satisfied.
Mahesvara Tantra says,6
tvaya proktani tantrani catuhsastimitani bhoh
Oh Lord! Sixty four (64) Tantras were revealed by you.
Tantra also says that the number o f Tantra is fourteen thousands (14,000) .789
sapta sapta sahasrani samkhyatani manisibhih
There are three Tantric Zones. Each Tantric Zone has 64Tantras, So. according
some, the number o f Tantra is 64 x 3 = 192.
Sadamnaya Tantra8 mentions that one hundred ninety two (192) Tantras

cm .si

these Tantric Zones trisasti-caturastantrah krantibhage pracaritah

Some scholars opine that the number of Tantra is one hundred eight (108).''
Only a few Tantra works are published. A large number of Tantra manuscripts i
displayed in many libraries and research centers. Moreover, names of many Tantra wore

4. H1L, i, p.564.
5. SL, 31 SI.
6. MAH, 1/15.
7. TMV,p. 116.
8. SAM, 1/128; PBS, p. 183; PAB, p. 198;VK, IV, p.392.
9. TMV, p.117.

are referred to in the Tantra texts and commentaries. But many of them are not available
So it is very difficult for us to give a complete list of Tantra texts in this chapter ( >u
attempt is to mention the names of Tantra collected from different sources.These name
show that when compared with the mass of other treatises on Shastra (The principle
Mantras), they form such an insignificant mass that they are lost in the vast womb of th
untraversable sea o f Tantra so full o f deep truths.10
It is already stated in the First Chapter that Tantra,in its wider sense, includs
Sarhhita, Yamala, Damara, and Agama literatures. Our lists include these forms of I anti
Literature and only Hindu Tantras.
/

Some scholars have listed Tantra works under different heads like Sakta Tantras
Saiva Tantras12, Yamalas13 and Brahman icalTantras.14
Let us mention those Tantras at first.
(a) Sakta Tantras
Varahi Tantra refers to twenty Sakta Tantric texts. They are
1. Nilapataka, 2. Vamakesvara, 3. Mrtyunjaya, 4. Yogarnava, 5. Mava or Maid
6. Daksinamiurti, 7. Kalika, 8. KamesvaiT, 9. Haragaun, 10. KubjikaJ l.Katyavani.
Pratyangira, D.Mahalaksmi, 14. Tripurarnava, 15.Sarasvati, 16.Yogin1. 17. Varahi.
Gavaksi, 19.Natiyaniya, 20. Mrdani.

10. POT, p. 532.

11. HTR, p.66.
12. STUT, p. 1L, Article- Evolution of the Tantras.
13. ibid, p. 12.
14. Ibid, pp. 18-19.
15. As quoted in HTR, p. 67.

(b) Saiva Tantras

The eighteen Agamas16 which are also called Saiva Tantras, are the following
l.Vijaya 2. Nihisvasa

3.Svambhuva, 4. Vatula, 5. Virabhadra, 6.Raura\a.

Makuta, 8.Viresa, 9. Candrahasa, lO.Jnana, 11. Mukhabimba, 12. Prodgita, 13 Lalita. I

Siddha, 15. Santana, 16. Sarvodgita, 17. Kirana, 18.Paramesvara.
Nihsvasa Tantra itself mentions these eighteen Agamas as constituting the Siv;
sastra transmitted by Rudra. It also mentions ten more Saiva Tantras transmitted tSadasiva. They are as follows:17
1. Kamika 2.Yogada 3.Divya 4. Karana 5. Ajita 6. Dipta 7. Suksma S.Sahas
9.Asta 10. Amsubheda.
(c) Yamalas
The principal Yamalas are eight in number. They are18 1. Rudra

2.Kanda (Skanda) 3. Brahma

4.Visnu 5.Yama 6.Vayu 7. kuvc .

8.1ndra.
Two other old texts belong to the Yamala group. They are19I. Pingalamata 2. Jayadratha Yamala.
Sfikanthasamhit320 mentions the following names (a) BHAIRAVA TANTRA

II. Svacchanda Tantra 2.Bhairava 3.Canda 4.Krodha 5. Unmatta Bhairava

Asitanga Bhairava 7. Mahocchusma 8. Kapalisa.

16.STUT, p. II.
17. Ibid, p. II.
18. Ibid, p. 12.
19. Ibid, p. 12.
20. As mentioned in TANS, p. 19.

(b) YAMALA TANTRA

9. Brahma Yamala 10. Visnu Yamala 11. Svacchanda Yamala 12.Ruru Yamal,
13(?) 14. Atharvana 15. Rudra 16.VetaIa.
(c) MATA TANTRA

17. Rakta 18.Lampata 19. Rasmimata

20.Mata

21. Calika

22.Pingala 2

Utphulla 24.Visvadya.
(d) MANGALA TANTRA

25. Picu Bhairavl 26. Tantra Bhairavi 27. Tata 28. Brahmi Kala 29.Vijaya
Candra 31 Mangala 32. Sarvamafigala.
(e) CAKRASTAKA

33. Mantra cakra 34. Varna cakra 35.Sakti cakra 36. Kala cakra 37. Bindu cakr
38. Nada cakra 39.Guhya cakra 40. Kha cakra.
(!) BAHURU PASTA KA

41. Andhaka 42. Rurubheda 43. Aja 44. Mula 45.Varnamanta or Varna Kanth
46. Vidanga 47. Matradana 48.Jvalina.
(g) VAGISA

49. Bhairavi

50. Citrika

51. Hainsa 52. Kadambika

53. Hrllekha

Candralekha 55. Vidyullekha 56. Vidyumata.

(h) SIKHA TANTRA

57. Bhairavi 58. Vina 59.Vinamani 60. Sammoha61. Damara 62. Atharvaka 6
Kabandha 64. Sirascheda.
According to Vamakesvara Tantra21and approved by Laksmidhara ^
/
y
1. Mahamaya 2. Sambara 3.Yogini-jala-sambara 4. Tattva-sambara 5. Siddha bhaira' i
6. Batukabhairava

7. Kahgkala bhairava

8. Kala bhairava

9. Kalagni bhaira' a

10. Yoginl bhairava 11. Maha bhairava 12. Sakti bhairava 13. Brahmi 14. Mahcsv;.

21. As mentioned in Ibid, p. 20.

IX>

15. Kauniari 16. Vaisnavi 17. Varahi 18. Mahendn 19. Camupda

20. Sivaduti

Rudra Yamala 22. Skanda 23. Brahma 24. Visnu 25. Yama 26. Vayu 27. Kuher.
28.1ndra 29. Candrajnana 30. Malini Vidya 31.Mahasammohana 32. Vamajusta

Mahadeva Tantra

3X

Tantrabheda

35. Vatulottara

39.Guhya Tantra

43.Matottaramata
Rupabheda

34. Vatula

40.

44. Vinakhya

49. Bhuto^damara

36. Kamika

Kalavada

45. Trotala
50. Kulasara

37. Hrdbheda

41. Kalasara

46. Trotalottara

42. Kundikamat
47. Pancamrta 4S

51. Kulod^isa 52. Kulacudamani

Sarvajnanottara 54. Mahakalfmata 55. Arunesa 56. Medinisa 57. Vikunthesvara

Purvapaksa 59. Pascimapaksa 60. Uttarapaksa 61. Niruttara 62. Vimata 63. Vimalotth
64. Devimata.
According to Bhaskar Rai,22
1. Mahamaya

2. Sambara

3. Yogini

4. Jalasambara

Bhairavastaka, Bahurupastaka 7. Brahmi 8. Mihesvari

Varahi

12. Mahendri 13.Camunda M.Sivaduti

5. Tattvasambara

9. Kaumari 10.Vaisnavi

15.Yamalastaka-Brahmayamala

Visnuyamala 17. Rudrayamala IS.Laksmiyamala 19. Umayamala 20. Skandayamai i

21.

Gaijesa

yamala

Mahasammohana
30.Tantrabheda

22.

Jayadratha

yamala

26. Mahocchus.ma 27.Vatula

31. GuhyaTantra

32. Kamika

23.Candrajnana
28.Vatulottara

24.Vasuki
29.

Hrdbhec.i

33. Kalavada 34. Kalasara

Kubjikamata 36. Tantrottara 37. Cinakhya 38. Trotala 39. Trotalottara 40. Pancamr i
41. Rupabheda 42. Bhutoddamara 43. Kulasara 44. Kukxjdisa 45.Kulacudamani 4<
Sarvojnanottara 47. Mahakalimata 48. Mahalakjmimata 49. Siddhayogesvarimata 5*
Kurupikamata 5 1. Rupikamata 52. Sarvaviramata 53. Vimalamata 54. Purvamriaya f
Pascimamnaya 56. Dak;inamnaya 57.Uttaramnaya 58.Urdhamnaya 59. Vaisesika l am a

22. As mentioned in Ibid, pp. 20-21.

18'

60. JnSnarnava 61.Viravali 62. Arunesa 63. Mohinisa 64. Visuddhesvara

According to Sarvollasa Tantra13,
1. Kali 2. Mundamala 3.Tara 4. Nirvana S.Sivasara 6. Vira Tantra 7.Lihgarcan
8. Latarcana 9. Todala
Tantra

10. Nila Tantra 11. RaidhaTantra 12.Visvasara

14. Bhairavi Tantra

15. Siddhesvara

Guptasadhana 19. Mitrka Tantra

16. Matrbheda

13. Bhaira\

17. Samaya Tantra

20. Maya Tantra 21. Mahamaya

22. Aksayii

!>
2

Kumari 24. Kuiarnava 25. Kalikulasarvasva 26.Kalikakalpa 27.Varahi 28. Yogini 2 *

Yoginihrdaya

30. Sanat-Kumara Tantra 31. Tripurasara Tantraka 32. Yogini-vija\

33.Malini 34. Kukkuta 35. Sri Ganesa 36. Bhuta Tantra 37. Uddisa 38.Kamadhenu v
Yoni, 40. Virabhadra 41. Vamakesvara 42. Kulacudaimani Tantra 43. Bhavacudamani 4
Jnanarnava 45. Varada 46. Cintamani 47. Kalivilasa 48. Hamsa 49. Cidambaratata 5(
Vijnapana

51. Phetkarini

52. Nitya

53. Uttara

54. Narayani 55. Urdhamnaya

5'

Jnanadlpa 57.Gautamiya 58.Niruttara 59.Gandharva 60. Kubjika 61. Tantra-mukta-va

62. Brhatsrikrama 63. Svatantra 64. Kamlkhya.

ACCORDING TO THREE TANTRIC ZONES

(a) VISNU KRANTA24
1. Uttara 2. Kali

3. Kuiarnava 4. Kulaprakasa

Kalivilasa 8. Kuloddisa 9. Kulamrta

Kulacudamani
Jnanarnava

10. Kumari

14. Ganesa-vimarsini

12. Kamakhya I

15. Gavaksa 16.Gandharva

17. Camunda I

21.Devyagama

24.Navaratnesvara 25. Nibandha 26. Nitya 27. Nila

31. BrhatsrTkrama

23. SARU, 2/6-18.

24. TANS, pp. 22-23

6. Kubjika

ll.K am adhenu

19. Tantraraja 20.Tantrantara

Brahmayamala

5. Kriyasara

22.Devi

23. Devapraka-

28. Niruttara 29. Phetkari

32. Bhavacudamani 33. Bhutadamara 34. Bhaira

! 9<-

35. Bhairavi 36. Matsyasukta 37.Mundaniala 38.Malini 39.MahakaIa 40. Malini-vijaya

41. Maya Tantra

42 Yamala

43.Yantra-ciniamani 44.Yogin1hrdaya 45. Yogini Tantn>

46. Yoni 47. Radha Tantra 48. Rudrayamala 49. Lalita Tantra 50.Visvasara 51. Varah<
52. Visuddhesvara 53. Sri Krama 54. Sivagama 55. Sukumudini 56.Siddhesvara 57
Siddhasara 58. Siddhasarasvata 59. Siddhiyamala 60.Sanatkumara 6 1. Samayacara 62
Sammohana 63. Svatantra 64. Hamsa Mahesvara.

(b) ASVAKRANTS 25

1. Uddama-mahesvara

2.Kriyasara

3.Kala

4. Kamini

5. Kamukesvara

Kamaratna 7. Kuranja 8. Gayatri 9. Gurvarcana 10. Gopya ll.G o p i 12.Gauff 13.(iupt.

14. Guptasara 15. Guptadiksa 16.Gopalilamrta
Jayaradhamadhava

Tantra

!7.Cudamani

20. Tattva-cinta-mani

18.Cina Tantra

21. Tattva-sara 22. Tiksna

i;
2

DhumavatT 24. Brhatsara 25. Brhat-cina 26. Brhat-todala 27. Brhannirvana 28. Brhai
Kafigkalini 29. Brhat-yogini

30. Bindu Tantra 31. Brhanmoksa

32, Brhanmaiin

33.Bindu 34. Brahmanda 35. Bhutalipi 36. Bhuta-suddhi 37. Bhutesvari 38. Bherund
39. Bhuvanesvari 40. Mahavira 41. Mantra-cinta-mani 42. Mahaniruttara 43. Mohana 4-*
Mohini 45. Madguli
Mahayogini

46.Maya 47. Mahamaiini

Sl.Yogarpava

48. Moksa

52. Yantracuda 53. Yoga Tantra

49. Mahamaya

5(

54. Lilavati

Visuddhesvara 56. Vidyullata 57. Varnasara 58. Sivarcana 59.Savara60.Sulim 6! Siv .

Tantra 62. Siddha Tantra 63. Saratsara 64. Samirana.
(c) RATHAKRANTA 26

1. Akasa-bhairava 2. Acaracara 3. Indrajala 4.Uddama-mahesvara 5. Bkajaia

6. Kahgkalamalini 7. Krkalasadipika 8. Karala-bhairava 9. Kaivalya 10. Kulasadbhav i

25. Ibid, p. 23.

26. Ibid, p. 22.

!V

11. Krtisara 12. Kalabhairava

13. Kalottama

14. Garuda

15.Cinmaya

l6.C'inacar;>

l7.Chayariila 18. Jnanabhairava 19. Deva^amara 20. Daksinamurti 21. Navaratnesvar;

22. Nagaijuna 23. Naradiya 24. Purascarana-candrika 25. Purascarana-rasoliasa 26
PancadasF 27. Picchila 28. Prapancasara 29. Paramesvara 30.Brhad-gautamiva

31

Balavilasa 32. Brhad-yoni 33. Brahma-jala 34. Bljacintamani 35.Bhuta-bhairava 36

Bhutadamara 37. Matsyasukta 38. Mahisa-mardini 39. Matrkodaya 40. Maharitla 41
Meru 42. Mahanirvana 43. Mahaklla 44. Mahalaksmi 45. Yaksinl 46. Yogasvarodav;,
47. Yogasara 48.Yaksa dahtara 49. Raja-rajesvari 50. Revatl 51. Varnodhrti 52. Varna
vilasa, 53. Vasudevarahasya 54. Saktikagamasarvasva 55. Saktisahgama 56. Sarada 57
Sodha 58. adamnaya 59. Svarodaya 60. Sarasvati 61. Sarasa 62. Sammohana 65
Siddhi-taddhari 64. Hamsa Mahesvara.
At the time of the compilation o f his monumental Tantra work Agamatattvu
vilasa (1609 SakSbda) Raghunath Tarkavagisha consulted 160 Tantra books.* Names o
those Tantra texts are mentioned in the First Chapter o f Agamatattva-vilasa. Followint
are the names of those books.28
1. Svatantra 2. PhetkarinT 3. Uttara 4. Nila 5. Vira 6. Kumari 7. Uyvala 8. Kal
9. Narayanl 10. Uttama Tarini 11. Bala 12. Samaya 13. Bhairava 14. Bhairavi

15

Tripura

2(

16.Vamakesvara

17.Kukkutesvara

18. Matrka

19. Sanatkumara

VisiiddheSvara 21. Sammohana 22. Gautaniiya 23. Brhat GautamTya 24. BhutaBhairav
25. Camunda 26. Pihgala 27. Virahi 28. Mupdamala 29. Yogirii 30. MalinT Vijaya 5
Svacchanda Bhairava 32. Maha Tantra 33. Sakti Tantra 34. Cintamani 35. Unmatta
bhairava

36. Trailokyasara

40. Vayavlya

41.Todala

37. Visvasara
42. MalinT

27. ATV, Introduction; Ibid, 1/34.

28. Ibid, 1/4-34.

38. Tantramrta

43. Lalita

39. Maha-phetkariy

44. Trisakti

45. Raja rajesvai

46. Mohasvarottara 47. Gavaksa 48, Gandharva 49. Trailokyamohana 50. Hafrisa
mahesvara 51. Hamsa paramesvara 52. Kamadhenu 53. Varnavilasa 54. Maya 5
Tantraraja 56. Uttama Kubjika 57. Vijnanalatika 58. Lihgagama 59. Kalottara 60. Isan.i
samhita 61. Snvinayaka-samhita 62. Nandikesvara-samhita 63. Vasistha-samhita
Daksa-samhita 65. Brahma-samhita 66. Divya-sanatkumiara-samhita 67. Kulanand;samhita

68. Vaisampayana-sarhhita

69. NrsimhatapanTya

70. Daksinamurti

Brahmayamala 72. Adiyamala 73. Rudrayamala 74. Brhadyamala 75. Siddhayamai <
76. Kalpasukta 77. Matsyasukta 78. Kalpasutraka 79. Kamaraja 80. Sivagama 8
llddiSa 82. Kuloddisa 83. Addisa 84. Virabhadraka 85. Bhutadamara 86. Damara 8
Yaksadamara

88. Kalikakula-sarvasva

89. Kulasarvasva

90. Kulacudamani

Divyakulasara 92. Kularnava 93. Kulamrta 94. Kulavall 95.

Kali-Kulamava

9
9<

Kulaprakasa 97. Vasitha 98. Siddhasarasvata 99. Yogiriihrdaya 100. Kalihrdaya 10

Matfkarnava

102. YoginT-jala-kuraka

103. LaksmT-kularnava

104. Taramava

10

CandrapTtha 106. Meru Tantra 107. Catuhsati 108. Tattvabodha 109. Mahogra lh
Svacchandasara 111. Tarapradipa 112. Sanketacandrodaya 113. a|-tri'ngsat-tattva

11

Laksa-nirnaya

115. Tripuranava

117. Mantradarpana

IIS'

VaisnavSmrta

119. Manasoliasa

121. Bhaktimanjari

12

116. Visnudharmottara
120. Puja Pradipa

Bhuvanesvan Parijata 123. Prayogasara 124. Kama ratna 125. Kriyasara 126. Again;'
dipika 127. Bhavacudamani 128. Tantra-cudSmani 129. BrhacchrTkrama 130. Srfkran t
131. Navaratnesvara

132. Somabhujagavalf 133. Siddhantasekhara

vimarsinf 135. Mantra-mukfavali

136. Tattva Kaumudi

134. Ganes.

137.Tantra KaumudT ! ?

Mantra Tantra Prakasa 139. Srf-Ramarcana-Candrika 140. Saradatilaka 141. Jiranamax a

142. Sarasamuccaya 143. Kaipadruma 144. Jnanamala 145. Purascarana-candrika 14
Agamottara 147. Tattva sagara 148. Sara-samgraha 149. Devaprakasinf 150. Tantarna' a
151. Kramadipika

152. TarS Rahasya

153. Shyama-Rahasya

154. Tantra Rati '

155. Tantrapradfpa 156. Taravilcfsa 157. Visvamatrka 158. Prapancaslira 159. Tantrasar;
160. Ratnavair
In Hara-tatlva-dldhili29 the following list is given 1. Annadakalpa Tantra
Agama-tattva-vilasa

2. Annapurna Kalpa Tantra 3. Agama-kalpa-druma -

5. Agama-dvaita-nirnaya 6. Xgama-sandarbha 7. Agamasara. S

Uttara Kamakhya Tantra. 9. Uttara Tantra

KangkalaniaiinT
KamSkhya

13. Kamala

10. Utpati Tantra

II. Umajamala

I.

14. KamalavilSsa 15. Katylyanf 16. Kamadhenu I'

18.. KalikSrccanacandrika

19. Kallkalpa

20. KalTkulasadbhava 2

Kaflkulasarvasva 22. Kalikulamrta 23. Kalikularnava 24. Klllkrama 25. Kali t antra 2<Kallvilasa 27.Kalihrdaya 28. Kubjika 29. KumarT 30. Kulacudamani 31. Kulaprakas;
32. Kulacara

33.Kularnava

Kriyayogasara 38. Kriyasara

34. Kaulavalf 35. Kramacandrika 36. KramadTpika

39. Gandharva

40.Ganes/varavimarsinT 41. Ciayatr

42.Guptadiksa 43. Guptasadhana 44. Guptamava 45. Guru Tantra 46. Gudharthadipik
47. Gautamlya 48. Gauffyamala 49. Gherandasamhita 50. Ciria Tantra 51. V'arnaia 5 '
JnSna Tantra 53. JKSnarnava 54. Damara Tantra 55.Tantra Kaumudf 56.Tantra-cudaman
57.Tantradipika 58. Tantra pramode 59. Tantra ratna 60. Tantra raja 61. Tantra-sagant
samhita 62. Tantrasara 63. Tantra-darsa 64. Tantrikadarpana 65. Taragama 66.

1211

Tantra 67. TarapradTpa 68. Tarabhakti-sudharnava 69. Tara-rahasya 70. Tara-rahas>;i

vrtti 71.Tararnava 72. Tara-sahasranama-stotram 73. TaraSSra 74. Todala Tantra. 7Tripuramava 76. Tripurakalpa 77. Tripura samuccaya 78. Trailokyasammohana lantr
79. Daksinamurti kalpa 80 .Daksinaniurti-samhita 81. DatfStreya y3mala
Kalpa Tantra

83. Devyagama

84. Navaratnesvara

82. Durg

85. Nandikesvara-samhit

86.Naradapancaratra 87. NarayanT Tantra 88. Nigamakaipalata 89. Nigama-KalpasTn

90. Nigamatattvasara 91. Nitya Tantra

29. HTD, Appendix

92. Nibandha Tantra 93. Niruttara 94. Nirvan

Tantra 95.NilaTantra 96. Nrsimha Kalpa 97. Paramahamsa patala 98. ParadevTrahasy
99. Picchila

Tantra

100. Purascarana -candrika

101. PurascaranabodhinT*

10.

Purascarana-rasollasa Tantra 103. Pujas&ra 104. Prapancasara 105. Prayogasara

I0<

PhetkarinTTantra 107. Balavilasa 108. Brahmayamala 109. Brahmanda Tantra

IK

Brhat-Tantrasara

II

111. Brhattotala Tantra 112.

Brhatgautamlya Tantra

Brhadrudrayamala 114. Brhannirvana Tantra 115. Brhanmaya Tantra 116. Bhagvadbhakr

vilasa Tantra 117. Bhavacudamani 118. Bhimaparakrama 119. BhuvaneswarT 'I antr
120. Bhutasuddhi Tantra 121 .Bhuvanesvari Parijata
-

122. Bhairava - Kosa

12

Bhairavayamala 124.Bhairava Tantra 125. Bhairava samhita 126.BhairavT Tantra 12

Matsyasukta 128. Mantra -Tantra-Prakasa

129. Mantradarpana 130. Mantramahodadt

131. Mantramuktavair 132. Mantraratna 133. MantraratnavalT 134. Mahakapilapancn

ratra 135. MahakilamohinfTantra 136. Mahanirvana Tantra 137. Mahariila Tantra 13>
Mahalihgesvara Tantra
Manasollasa

139. MahiamardinT Tantra

140. Matrkabheda Tantra 14

142. Maya Tantra 143. MalinT 144.MalinTvijaya 145.Mundamala lantr >

146. Mrdanf Tantra 147. MeruTantra 148. Yogacintemani

Yogihihjdaya 151. Rudrayamala
Kularnava

152 Reva Tantra

149. Yogirit Tantra

153. Laksasagara 154. l.aksipi

155. Lihgarccana-candrika 156. LingSrccana Tantra

158. Varna-bhairava

159. Vamakesvara Tantra

15t

157. Varada lantr:

160. Vatnadeva Tantra

161. Vara!

Tantra, 162. VayavTya-samhita 163. Vidyananda-nibandha 164. Vidyotpatti Tantra

VimalaTantra 166. Visvasara 167. Vinu Yamala 168. VTra Tantra

16'

169. VaihayasTv;

mantra-kosa 170. Vyomakesa samhita 171. Vyomaratna Tantra 172. Sakti Yamala

17

Sakti Tantra 174. Sakti-sangama Tantra 175. Sambhu~samhita 176. Saktakrama

17

SaktanandataranginT 178. Satatapa-samhita 179. SambhavT Tantra 180.Sarada l antr i

181. Saradatilaka 182. Sasvata Tantra 183. Sikharim Tantra
A

184. Siva-tandava

18

Siva-dharma 186. Siva-rahasya 187. Siva samgraha 188. Saiva-ratna 189. Saivagam s
^
^
_
190. Syama-kalpa-iata 191. Syama-pradipa 192.Syama-rahasya 193. Syamarccan;

candrika

194. Syama-saparya-krama

195. Syama-saparya-vidhi

197.Sntattva-cintamani 198. Sanat-Kumara-Tantra

196. NnK.ularn.o >

199. Samaya Tantra 200. Sama ;<

cara Tantra 201. Sammohana Tantra 202. SarasvatT Tantra. 203. Sara-cinta-mani 2 n
Sara-sarhgraha 205. Sara-samuccaya 206. Sarasvata Tantra 207. Simha-vahinI l ai n i
208. SiddhalaharfTantra 209. Siddha-vidya-dipika 210. Siddhanta-sara 211 Siddhev. <<Tantra 212. Sotna-sambhu 213. Svacchanda-mahesvara Tantra. 214. Svatantra lai in
215. Hamsa-mahesvara 216. Haya-sTrsa-panca-ratra 217. Hara-gauri-samvada
We find a list o f Tantra in

Tanlra-tattvd30 written by Sivacandra Vidsarna. >.

great Tantric scholar and seer and also in Principles o f Tantra3I. translated and edited s
Arthur Avalon (John Woodrofie), eminent Tantric scholar. The list is as follows
1. Kairvilfsa 2. Kangkalamalinr3.Mundamala 4. Mahisamardim5. Maya lanti-.i
6. Matrka-bheda 7, Matrkodaya
Mahakalasamhita

8. Mahimirvana

9.MaiinT-vijaya 10. Mahaniln

12. Pheru Tantra 13.Bhairava Tantra 14. BhairavT Tantra 15 Bhnt.i

damara 16. Virabhadra 17. BTja-cintamani 18. Ekajata 19.Nirvana Tantra 20. Tripi m
sara 21. Visvasara 22. Varada Tantra 23. Vasudeva-rahasya 24. VarahT Tantra
Brhad-gautamTya 26. Varnodhrti Tantra 27. Visnu yanala 28. Brhannila 29 Brhad->

30. Visnu-rahasya 31. Vamakesvara 32. Brahmajnana Tantra 33. Brahma yamala
Advaita Tantra 35. Varnavilasa 36. PhetkarinT 37. Purascarana-rasollasa 38. Purascar.m.i
candrika 39. Picchila Tantra 40. Prapancasara 41. Hamsa 42. Paramesvara Tantra i
Navaratnesvara 44. Nitya Tantra 45. Nfla Tantra 46.Narayartayaka 47. Nirutuira

is

Naradfya 49. Nagadina 50. Daksinamurti 51. Daksinamiurti-samhita 52. Yaksinf I a> v i
53. YoginTTantra 54. Yoni Tantra 55. Yogasara 56. Yogarnava 57. Yogiriihrda>a
Yoga-svarodaya 59. Akasa bhairava 60. Raja-rajesvari 61. Radha Tantra 62

30. TTT, pp. 290-291.

31. POT. pp. 532-535.

Re

el

I 9l

Tantra 63. Rudrayiimala 64. RamSrccana candrika 65. Savara Tantra 66. Indrajala I antr
67. Kali" Tantra

68. Kamakhya Tantra

69. Kamadhenu Tantra 70. KalTkulasarvas\

71. Kuniaff Tantra 72. Krkalasadipika 73. Kalottara 74. Kubjika Tantra 75. Kuloddis.i
76. Kularnava
77.KuiamulavatSra 78. Kulasutra 79. Yaksadamara
80. SarasvatT'l anti i

.
81. SaradS Tantra 82. Saktisangama 83. Saktikagama sarvasva 84. Urdhamnaya X
Svatantra Tantra 86. SammohanaTantra 87.Cmacara 88. Todala Tantra 89. Buddh i
Tantra

90. EkavTra Tantra

91. Nigama-Kalpadruma

92. Nigama-Kalpa-lata 9

Nigamasara 94. Syamarahasya 95. Tararahasya 96. Skanda yamala 97.Annadakalp i

98.Annapurna-kalpa 99. Agama-kalpa-druma

100. Agama-tattva-vilasa

101 Again,

dvaita-nirnaya 102. Agama-sandarbha 103. Agamasara 104. Adityahrdaya 105. I ttai i

KamSkhya 106. Uttara Tantra 107. Utpatti Tantra 108. Umayamala 109 EkavTrakalp.i
110 Kamala Tantra 111. Kamaiavilasa

112. KatyayanT Tantra

113. Kalikarccai i

candrika 114. Kalikaipa 115. Kalikula-sadbhava 116. Kalikulamrta 117. Kalikuliima\ i

118. Kafikrama
Kulaprakasa

119. Kalihrdaya

123. Kulasara

120. Kumarikalpa

124.Kulasundara 125. Kulacara

Krsnarcana-candrika 128. KauIareanadTpika

Kramadlpika

132. Kriya-yoga-sara

Gandharva Tantra
Guptarnava

121. Kulacudamani

140.Guru Tantra

12

129. Kaulavalf 130. Kramacandrika 12'

133. Kriya-sara

136. Gayatff Tantra

126. Kularnava

12

134. GanesavimarsinT 15

137.Guptadiksa

141. Gudharthadlpika

138.

Guptasadhana

142.GautamTya

I3
lane;

143.Gaunyamala 144.Gherandasamhita 145. Cakravicira 146. Cina-tantra-yamala U

Jnana Tantra 148. Jnanamava 149. Damara 150. Tantra Kaumudi, 151. Tantra Cudanian
152.Tantra-dipika 153. Tantra-pramode 154. Tantra-ratna. 155. Tantra-raja 156. I antr i
sagara-samhita 157. Tantra-sara
Khanda

158. TantrSdarla

161. Taranigama 162. Tara Tantra

sudhamava

165. Tararnava

166. Tarasara

159. Tantric darpana

163.Tara-pradIpa
167. Tripura-kalpa

169. Tripura-sara-samuccaya 170. Trailokya-sammohana

160 ITTflf

164. Tarabhak o
168. Tripurarna a

171. Daksinamurtikaln.:

172. Dattatreya-yamala 173. Durga kalpa 174. Devl-yamala 175. Devyagama 17<
Nandikesvara-samhita 177. Narada-panca-ratra 178. NarayanT Tantra 179 Nigama
kalpa-Iata 180. Nigama-kalpa-sara 181. Nigama-tattva-sara 182. Nibandha Tantra 18:
Nrsimha-kalpa 184. Parama-hamsa-patala 185. Paradevlrahasya 186. Purascaranalx
dhinT 187. Pujasara 188. Prapancasara 189. Prayogasara 190. Balavilasa 191. Brahma
yamala 192. Brahmanda Tantra 193. Bhagvadbhakti-vilasa 194. Bhava-cudamani 19:
Bhimaparakrama 196. Bhuvanesvarf Tantra 197. BhuvanesvarT-parijata 198. Bhutasuddh
Tantra 199. Bhairava-kosa 200. Bhairava-yamala 201. Bhairava-sarhhita 20.
Matsyasukta 203. Mantra-tantra-prakasa 204. Mantra-darpana 205. Mantra-mahodadh
206.Mantra-muktavair 207. Mantra-ratna 208. Mantra-ratnavalf 209. MahakapiU
210.PaRcaratra

211. Mahaklla-mohinT Tantra

212. Mahanlla Tantra

2!

Mahal ingesvara Tantra 214. Manasollasa 215. MalinfTantra 216. MrdanPTantra 2i

Meru Tantra 218. Yogacintamani 219.Reva Tantra 220. Laksa-sagara 221 Laksni
kularnava 222. Lirigarcana 223. Varna-bhairava 224. Vamadeva Tantra 225. Vayaviy;,
samhita 226. Varahf Tantra 227. Vidyananda-nibandha 228. Vidyotpatti Tantra 22'
Vimala Tantra 230. VTra Tantra 231. Brhat-tantra-sara 232. Brhattodala Tantra 2 5
Brhat-srikrama-sarhgraha 234. Brhadrudra-yamala 235. Brhannirvana 236. Brhanmay
Tantra 237. Vehaya-sTmanta-kosa 238. Vyomakesa-samhita 239. Vyoma-ratna lantr
240. Sakti-yamala 241. Sakti Tantra 242. Sambhu-sarnhita 243. SSkta-krama 24

Saktananda-taranginT 245. Sambhavf Tantra 246. SaradS Tantra 247. Saradatilaka 248
SUsvata Tantra 249. Sikharim Tantra 250. Sivatapdava 251. Sivadharma 2*
Sivarahasya 253. Siva samgraha 254. Saivaratna 255. Saivagama 256. Syama-kalpa-lai
/

257. Syama-pradTpa 258. Syamarcana-candrika 259. Syima-saparya-krama 260. S\ amT

*

saparya-vidhi 261. Snkularnavaa 262. Sritattva-cintamani 263. Snrama-sarngraha 2f>~

Sanatkumara Tantra 265. Samaya Tantra 266. Samayacara Tantra 267. Sammohan
Tantra 268. SarasvatT Tantra 269. Sara-cinta-mani 270. Sara-sariigraha

27

Sarasamuccaya 272. Sarasvata Tantra 273. SimhavahinTTantra 274. Siddhalahari ! antr.

275. Siddha-vidya-dTpika 276. Siddhantasara 277. Siddhesvan Tantra 278. Somasambh
279. Svacchanda - mahesvara 280. Hayasir$a-pancaratra 281. Haragaun-Samvada 28
Uddamahesvara 283. Kallkollasa 284. Kulakalpa-lata 285. Kamakhya-darpana 28(
Kaumarf-vilasa 287.Candikarcana-candrika 288. CamundaTantra 289, Aghora-bhaira\ i
290. Aghora-bhairavT 29I.Bhairavananda-sara 292. Nigama-tattva-ratna 293. Sivasutn
294. Nityaprayoga-sara 295. Nirvana-samhita 296. Kamarupa-dlpika
Tantra

298. Kamakhyaprayoga

299.Hanumat-kalpa

297.Kamesvai i

300. Vijaya Tantra 30

Pltharatnakara 302. KatyayanF-kalpa 303. Gaun Tantra 304. Matangf Tantra 30

Sjodasf-samhita 306. Parvatf Tantra 307. pimara-sutra 308. Satkarma-dTpika 30"
Satkarma-drdhiti

310. Cakresvara

311. Cakramukura

312.Kaula-krtya-tattva

?i

Krtyatattva 314. Krtyaprayoga 315. Agamarnava 316. Abhicara-kavaca 317.Svam:

saparya 318. Siddhi Tantra.

VarahfTantran has also given a list o f Tantras. Names of those Tantras are '
follows:
y

1. Muktaka 2. Sarada 3. Prapanca (i) 4. Prapanca (ii) 5. PrafMuiea (iii) 6. Kapila

Yoga 8. Kalpa 9. Kapinjala 10. Amrta-suddhi 11. VTragama 12. Siddha-samvarana >
Yogadamara 14. Sivadamara 15. Durgadamara 16. Sarasvata 17. Brahmadamara

Gandharva damaral9. Adi-yamala 20. Visnu-yamala 21. Brahma-yamala 22. Rudr i

yamala 23. Ganesa- yamala 24. Aditya- yamala 25. NUapataka 26. Yogarnava 27 Ma'
Tantra 28. Dakinamurti 29. Kalika 30. Ramesvarf 31. Tantraraja

32. Haragaur

Tantra(i) 33. HaragauiTTantra(ii) 34. Tantranirnaya 35. Kubjika Tantra (i) 36. KubjiKit
Tantra (ii) 37. Kubjika Tantra (iiii) 38. Katyayanf Tantra 39. Pratyangira lanira

32. Barahi Tantra as quoted in BTS(U), Introduction.

I*)'

40.MahalaksmlTantra 41. DevlTantra 42.Tripurarnava 43. SarasvatrTantra 44. Ad>

Tantra 45. YoginF Tantra (i) 46. Yoginf Tantra (ii)
Tantra 49.NarayanF Tantra 50. Mrdanf Tantra (i)

47. VarahF Tantra 48. Gavak$.>

51. Mrdanf Tantra (ii 52. Mrdan'

Tantra (iii) 53. Vamakesvara Tantra 54. Mrtyufljaya Tantra.

M.M. Gopinath Kaviraja has given a list o f Tantra works that were collected h
Sarvavidyanidhana

Kavindracarya Sarasvati33 during the reign of Moghul Empen

Sahajahan. From

that list we mention only those Tantras that are under the head

Vaidika, Avaidika, Upatantras and Anyatantras. This list is also published b> th>
Gaikwad Oriental Series.34
VAIDIKA TANTRA

1. Sarvonnayana Tantra

2. Jnanarnava Tantra

3. Arunesvara Tantra -

Visliddhesvara Tantra S.Traipura Tantra 6.Mahadeva Tantra 7. Nyayottara Tantra

Uttaramnaya Tantra 9. Anuttaiimnaya Tantra 10. KugtjTsvarT Tantra 11 .Guhyaguhv i

Tantra 12.Kulasara Tantra 13. Matrbheda Tantra 14. Vatuiottara Tantra 15. Sarva-vTn
Tantra 16. Trotala Tantra 17. Kalasara Tantra 18. Kalavada Tantra 19. Yogisvarriantra
20. Sarvamnaya Tantra

21. Dak^inamnaya Tantra

Urdhamnaya Tantra 24. VTna Tantra

22. Pascimamnaya Tantra

25. Kulacu<|amani Tantra 26. Hrdbheda I anti <

27. Vatula Tantra 28. Bahurupastaka Tantra 29. Yamalastaka Tantra 30.Kiranakh> i
Tantra.
A-VAID1KA TANTRA

I. Mahamaya-sambara Tantra 2. YoginT-jvala-sambara Tantra

3. Kularnasa

Tantra 4. Maha-sammohana Tantra 5. Rupikamata Tantra 6. Virupikamata Tantra

odasTkahvaya Tantra 8. Parisi$tananda Tantra 9. Amaresvara Tantra 10. Vamajusia
Tantra 11. Kamika Tantra 12. Rupabheda Tantra

33. TANS, pp. 738-740.

34. KV,GOS-17, pp.28-29.

'

13. Pancamrta Tantra 14. Kalyana

20 *

Tantra 15. Bhutakhya Tantra 16. Bhairavastaka Tantra 17. Rajika Tantra 18. Garud.
Tantra 19. ValS Tantra

20. VasukTTantra 21. Mahakalimata Tantra 22. MahavTravai

Tantra 23. Mahalakm7mata Tantra 24. Mahayogakhya Tantra 25. Mantrottarakhy.

Tantra 28. Lalitajnana Tantra 29. Mahakalisvan Tantra 30. Lalitamata Tantra

Cudamani Tantra.

UPA-TANTRA

1. Mantrarnavakhya Tantra 2. Mantra-sarakhya Tantra 3. Mahakdla Tantra Sambhava Tantra 5. atkalamata Tantra 6. Malaga Tantra 7. Mulakalesvarf Tantra x
Auddamahesvara Tantra 9. Kaiakesvara Tantra 10. MfgamukhT Tantra

11. Saubhagv;i

Vallaff Tantra l2.Talacandesvara Tantra 13. Haramekhala Tantra 14. Catida-rudresvar

Tantra 15. Kautuka Tantra.

ANYA TANTRA

1. Bhutadamara Tantra 2. Sakti-sangama Tantra 3. GautamrTantra 4. Raj.i

Tantra 5. Meru Tantra 6.Dattatreya Tantra.
A list o f Tantra35 is found in the Luptagama-samgraha volumes 1,11, collected an

edited by V.V. Dvivedi, and published by Sampumananda Sanskrit Visvavidyalav.

Varanasi. The names of Tantras found in it are given below:

1. Aghoresa Tantra, 2. Acintyagama 3. Advaya-sampattivartikam 4.Advayollas i

5.

Adhvasiddhi 6. Anantavijayagama

Anubhava-stotram

10. Abheda-karika

13.Agama-rahasya 14. Acara-prakarana

sambodha 18. Adyavanja-trimsika

T.Anuttarastakam

11 .Arcana-trimsika 12. Asesa-kula-vallarr

15.Ajnavatara

19. Ananda-&sanam

35. As mentioned in NLT, pp. 331-336.

8. Anupratyabhijna

16. Atma-saptati

17. Atmu

20. Alokamala 21. Itihav-

20

rahasyam 22. Istopadesa 23. IsSna-siva 24. Ucchusma-bhairava 25. Uttarapadam 26

Uttarasatkam 27. Udayakara-paddhati 28. Uddharordha Tantra 29. Upacaropanisat 36
Upayavimsati

31. Ormi Kaula

32. Rju-VimarsinT 33. Kakyastotram

bhargavam 35. Kramakapda-kramavair 36. Kama-siddhi-stotra

34. Kaca

37. Kamikagama

58

Kalapara 39. KalavalF 40. Kafikakalpa 41. Kalikakrama 42. Kalikamata 43. (Calikui;
44. Kilottara 45. Kiraq&gatna 46. Kubjika Tantra 47. Kubjika-mata 48. Kulakamala 4*<
Kula-kalf-vidhi

50. Kula-kramodaya

51.Kula-kridavatara

52. Kulagahvara 5

Kulacudamani 54. Kuiapancasika 55. KulamulSvatara 56.Kulayukti 57.Kularatnamal

58. Kulasara 59. Kulamnaya 60. Kularnava 61. Kramakeli 62. Krama-rahasya bKrama-vasana 64. Krama-sadbhava 65. Kramasiddhi 66. Krama-sutra 67. Krama-stut
68. Kramastotra 69. Kramodaya 70. Kriya - karana-mandana 71. Kriya-kala-gunottara
72. Gama-skstra 73. Gita-ni$yanda 74. Gupta Tantra 75. Guhya-yoginT-Tantra

7<

Catuka-pancasika

8*

77. Candra-jiiana

78. Candajn3na-vidya

79. Carana-sutra

Cicchakti-samstuti 81. Cilla-cakresvarT-mata 82. Jayadrathadhikira 83. Jayakhya-samhiti

84. Jabali-sutifini 85. Jnana-garbha-stotra 86. Jnana-dipa-vimarsinr 87. JnSna-sambodh i
88. Jnana-sara

89. Jnanamrta-rahasya

90. Jn^nendu-kaumudT 91. Jnanottara

Tattvagarbha-stotra 93. Tattva-yukti 94. Tattva-raksavidhana 95. Tattva- vicara

Tattva-vimarsinF 97. Tattvartha-cintamani 98. Tantraraja 99. Tantra-sadbhava

I0<

Tantra samuccaya 101. Timirodghata 102. Totulagama 103. Trikakula 104. I rik;
ratna-kula 105. Trika-s5sana 106. Trika-sara 107. Trika-hrdaya 108. Tripura-sundar
mardina 109. Trisiromata 110. DiksottarSgama 111. Devika-krama 112. DevT-kalottan
113. Devi-PaRcasatika 114. DevT-mantra-kalpa 115. DevT-samsthanagama 116. DevyimatasOtra 117. Dvaya-sampatti 118. Dhatu-sam1k$a 119. Nandisikha Tantra 120. Nay;
samgati 121. Naresvara-viveka 122.Nava-nitya-vidhana

123. Nava-ratna-malika

12-

Navasati-sastra 125. Nirvana-yogottara 126. Nisa-kula 127. Nisd-cara I28.Nisatar.-i

129. Nitjsvasa-karika 130. Nilisvasagama 131. Nihsvasottara

132. Nailysvasa Tanti i

133. Pancaratra-sruti 134. Pancaratropanisad 135. PancaSatika 136. Pancamrta

13"

Pancartha-pramana 138. Pada-samgati 139. Padma-vahinF 140. Paramartha-samgrah;

141. Parakhya-samhita 142. Para Tantra

143. Para-pancasika

144.

Paramata

14'

Parasukta 146. Para-stotra 147. Paryantapancasika 148. Pascima 149. Padukodaya I5d
Paramesvaragama 151. Picu-sastra
PurvaTantra 155. Pauskaragama

152. Pujana-stotra

153. Puja-rahasya

156. Prajnalamkara 157. Prabodha-pancadasika

15-i

15 8

Prabhakaula 159. Pramana-stuti 160. Prayogamanjar? 161. Bahurupa-garbha-stotra 163

Bfmhanf

163. Baudhayana-saiiihita

164. Brahmayamala 165. Bharga-sikha

Bh'argavottara 167. BhuvanesvarT Kalpa 168. Bhutaksobha 169. Bhuta-suddhi lantr

170. Bhairavakula

171. Bhairava-yamala

172. Bhairavagama

173. Bhoga-moksa

pradfpika 174. Bhoga>hastaka 175. Matanga fika . 176. Matahga-sutra 177. Matasastr
178. Matottara 179. Manonusasana 180. Mantraraja 181. Mantra-vartika 182. Mantra
vaitikatika
MahamBya

183. Maya-samgraha 184. Malaya Tantra

187.

MahSrthodaya

188.

185. Mahanaya-paddhati

Maha-svacchanda

18<

189. Maha-svacchand;

samgraha 190. Matrka-hrdaya 191. Madhavakula 192. Manasollasa 193. Maya-vamanu

samhita 194. Mayabaibhavagama 195. MalinTTantra 196. Malinlmata 197. MalinF-sar
197a. Mina kula 198. Mukuta Tantra
Mukhyamnaya-krama

202.

199. Mukuta-samhita 200. Mukutottara

Mukhyamnaya-rahasya-vidhi

203.

Mula Tantra

20
20 ~

Mrgendrottara 205. Moksopaya 206. Yajna-sutra 207. Yoga-sancara 208. Yoga-sancar;

209. Yogint-kaula 210. Ratnatraya 211. Ratnamala 212. Rasa-sara-saihgraha

21

Rasanvaya 214. Rahasya-vtdhi 215. Rahasya-sastra 216. Rahasya-siddhi-sopana

21

Rahasya-stotra 218. Ratrikuia 219. Rudrayamala-sara 220. Rudra rahasya 221. Raurav;
vartika 222. Raurava-samgraha 223.

Rauravagama 224.

Rauravagama-vrtti

22'

Lak^manasara 226. Lak$m1-kaularnava 227. Laksnil samhita 228. Laghu-carca-kul.t

229. Laghu-brhaitT 230. Lalita 231. Ladyadi-sastra 232. Lingodbheda 233. Varuna
paddhati 234. Vajasaneya Tantra 235. Vatulottara 236. Vadya Tantra 237. VayavTy;

20

samhita238. Vimsatikatrika 239.Vijnfinendu-kaumudT 240. Vimarsa-dipika

241.

Viveku

martanda 242. Vivekanjana 243. Visva-samhita 244. Visvasarottara-sutra

245.

Visayii

pancika 246. Visnu-yamala 247. Vira-yamala 248. Viravair 249. VaihayasT-samhii

250. Vyasaksinf 251. Sacimata 252. Sambhvaikya - dipika 253. Sambhava-dTpika 25~<
Siva-jnana-bodha-samgraha

255. Siva-tattva-vilasa

256. Siva-tanu-sastra

2^

Sivadharma 258. Sivadharmottara 259. Siva sutra 260. Saiva Tantra 261. Srikanthl>;i
samhita 262. Srikula 263. SrTpancasika 264. Srtparikrama 265. Srimala

2 6 6 . Sai

sahasrika 267. Sadardha-sastra 268. Sad-dhatu-samlksa 269. Sadgunya-viveka

27 <

Samvit-prakarana

27

271. Samvit-prakasa 272. Samvit-stotra

Samkarsana-sutiini 275. SamkarsanT-yamala

siddhi

278. Sadyojyoti

273. Samvidullasa

276. Samketa-paddhati

277. Satkarya

279. Samadhi-pancadasf 280. Sambandha-siddhi

28

Sarvajnanottara 282. Sarva-jnanottara-vrtti 283. Sarvamangala-sastra 284. Sarva-srota^

samgraha-sara 285. Sarvagama-piimanya 286. Sarvacara-hrdaya 287. Satvat-samhit
288. Sara-sastra 289. Sara-samgraha 290. Sarasvata-samgraha-sutra 291. Sardhasatik
292. Siddha-yogFsvarf-mata 293. Siddha-santana 294. Siddha Tantra 295. Siddhani
296.

Siddhanta-dipika

297. Siddhanta-rahasya-sara 298. Siddhantavacana

29l

Siddhanta-sastra 300.Siddhanta-saravalT 301. Siddhanta-hrdaya 302. Siddhantagam

303. Siddhamata 304. Siddhokta
Subhagodaya

308.

305. Suprabhedagama 306. Subodhamanjarf 30

Subhagodaya-vyakhya

309.

Suksma-svayambhuva

5I<

Somasiddhanta 311. Saubhagya-kanda 312. Saubhagya-subhagodaya 313. Saubhagya

hrdaya-stotra

314. Saurabheyagama

315.Saurasamhita 316. Skanda-yamala

StotravalT 318. Svacchanda 319. Svacchanda-bhairava 320. Svacchanda-samgraha

Svatantra Tantra

322. Sva-bodhodaya-manjarT

324.Svatma-sambodha
Svayambhuvagama.

325. Svayambhuva-vrtti

51
32

323. Sva-svabhava-sambodhan

326. Svayambhuva-sastra-tlka

52

20-

Many more names listed in different books are left here. We have only mentioned
those names that are listed in these principal sources.
Moreover a large number of unpublished Tantric works are displayed in differen
libraries and research centers. The New Catalogus Catalogorum, published by Madra
University has given the names o f many unpublished Tantric texts,36 All these give us ai
idea about die magnitude of Tantra Literature.
B. LITERARY VALUE OF TANTRA
In spite of its vastness, Tantra as a literature is much neglected. In most of tht
books on the history of Sanskrit Literature, we have painfully noticed, Tantra Literature i
not much dealt with. We get some hints at Tantra in some books o f Philosophy. Most o
the scholars treat Tantra as a purely Sadhana 5>Sstra and dont want to rank Tantra in
standard class of Indian Literature. They are critical of its language, grammar and style
In this context M. Wintemitz comments,37
Neither the Puranas nor the Tantras make enjoyable reading, and this is muc>
more applicable to the latter. They are the work of inferior writers, and are often writte;
in barbarous and ungrammatical Sanskrit.
Probably this view of Wintemitz is also shared by most of the scholars of Sanskr
Literature.
Tantra is basically a Sadhana Sastra which mostly deals with the Gum. the Sisyt
Diksa, Puja, Mantra, Yantra etc. and other rituals. In spite o f its ritualistic feature, ot
study discovers the literary beauty o f Tantra.
Generally literature means something that which is written down, but the writing
must have a quality. This quality is attractiveness. It attracts in two ways - through
matter and through its manner.

36. NLT, p.337.

37. HIL i , p. 579.

20 '

Our study reveals that Tantra is full of poetic excellence. Tantra is full o
figurative expressions, sensuous and rich imageries, verbal music, rythms, myths
symbols, metres and poetic diction.
It is obviously seen that all the literatures center round human body and mint!
Other elements supplement these. Tantra is also based on human body and mind. Probabl
no other literature has given so much importance on human body as Tantra.Tantra's vivii
description of biological instincts and psychological emotion spontaneously attract on
mind.38
Tantra describes the helpless condition of human beings. It is full of pathos and <
reminds us o f tragic dramas.39 Man forgets his real identity, laments and suffers. Like a*
undried earthen jar human body decays every moment.

Nobody cares for it. Mai

laments.40

apatyam me kalatram me dhartam me bandhavasca me

lapantamiti martyam tamatti kalavrko balat
Man engaged in lamenting My son, my wife, my wealth and relatives' is forcibl
eaten up by time-wolves.
Death pierces man with sin-spear, wets with Ghee in the form of world)
affairs,cooks by fire in the form of attachment and malice and at last consumes.41

papa-sula-vinirbhinnam siktam vi^ayasarpisa

raga-dvescmalaih pakvam mrtyurasnati manavam
This real picture of man described inTantra shakes the mind o f the readers an*
makes them sorry for what they do.

38. SAKT, 1/6; RAM, 3rd Part.

39. PBS, p. 194.
40. SAKT, 1/22.
41. Ibid, 1/24.

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r o v e -

tanmadhye visa-tantu-sodara-lasat suksma jaganmohinT

brahma-dvdra-mukham mukhena madhuram samcchadayann svayam
sahkhdvartta-nibhd navina-capald mala-vilasaspada
sputS sarpa-sama sivopari-lasat-sardha-trivrttakrtih
kujanti kula-kundalf ca madhuram mattali-mald-sphutam
vacah komala-kavya-bandha-raeam-bhedati-bheda- kramaih
svasocchvasa - vibhdnjanenajagatam Jtvo yaya dharyate
sa mulambuja-gahvare vilasati proddama-diptavalih.
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20

Poetic genius reaches the zenith o f excellence in describing Sahasrara.51

(adurdhe sahgkhinya nivasati sikhare sunyadese prakasam

visargadhah padmam dasa-sata-dalam purpa-candratisubhram
adhovaktram kantam tarum-ravi-kal&kanti-kirijalka-subhram
lalatadyairvarmih pravilasita-vapuh kemlanandarupam
Above all these, in the vacant space wherein is SamkhinT Nadi" and below Visarg.
is the Lotus o f a thousand petals. This Lotus, lustrous and whiter than the full Moon, ha
its head turned downward. It charms. Its clusterd filaments are tinged with the colour i
the young Sun. Its body is luminous with the letters beginning with 'A ' and it is th>
absolute bliss.
Dhyanamantras52 are full of literary beauty. Imagery, diction, style, expression
symbol Mid resonance express the super excellence of poetic art.
The Dhyanamantra o f Mother Kaifis an example of literary beauty.53

mahameghaprabham sydmam tathaiva ca digambarim

kanthdvasakta - muruialf- galat - rudhira - carcitam
karmvatamsata-nlta-sava-yugma-bhayamkdm
ghora-dahgflram karalasyam pinormata-payodharam
savanam kara-samghataih krta-kancim hasanmukffim
srkva-dvaya-galad-rakta-dhara-bisphuritana-nam
ghora-ravam maha-raudrim smasarialaya-vasirum
baldrka-mandalakara-locana-tri-tayanvitam.
Kali who is black like the dark cloud, is naked. She is anointed with the hloo<
trickling from cut-heads clung to the neck. Her ear-rings are two ferocious corpses Sh
has sharp fangs, terrible face and high breasts.

She wears girdle-severed arms Sh

51. SANI, 40, si.

52. ATV, pp. 1019,1120, 1122, 1186-1188; KALI, pp.26, 28.
53. KaliTantra as quoted in BTS, p. 387.; ATV, pp. 1015-1016.

2 ()>

laughs. She possesses a face radiant with the blood trickling from two sides of lips Sh.
makes thunderous noises, possesses dreadful appearance, lives in the cremation groum
and has three red eyes like a circle made of the rays of the rising Sun.
The description of Adya Sakti is highly poetic.54
megHangfm sasi-sekharain trinayariam raktambaram bibhratlm
panibhySma-bhqyam vardnca vikasat-raktaravinda-sthitam
nrtyaniam puralo nipTya madhuram madhvlkamadyam mahdkdlam vTiqya vikas itanana- varamadytitn bhaje kalikam.
1 adore the Adya Kalika whose body is the hue of dark rain cloud, upon whov
fore-head the Moon gleams, the three-eyed One clad in crimson raiment, whose two hand
are raised-the one to dispel fear and the other to bestow blessing - who is seated on a re 1
lotus in full bloom, Her beautiful face radiant, watching Mahakala, who elated wiih ilkdelicious wine of Madhuka flower, is dancing before Her.
The description of Chinnamasfa55 spreads the ray of beauty and charms our mind
madhye tu tam mahddevTm surya-koti-sama-prabham
chinnamastam kare vame dharayanftm svamastakam
prasaritamuklnm bhlnlam lelihariagrajihvikam
pivantTm raudhinm dhUram nijakantha-vi-nirgaidm
The Suryamandala (Solar Region) is red like the Chinanose (Java). Chinnamastl
having the radiance of the crores of the Sun, stands in the middle of that region. She holes
her own severed head with her left hand. Her wide and ferocious face with lulling tongue
drinks blood oozing out from the throat.

54. MN, 5/141.

55. BTS, P. 374.

2d-

Mantras of Abhiseka , SSnti, Antaryaga

and hymns

contain literal

excellence.59 Words of these Mantras create wonderful suggestiveness.

In Saundarya Laharf0, the description of the vermilion on the parting hair of I)e\
is splendid vahanti sinduram prabala-kavarT bhara - timira
dvisam vrndairvartdikrtamiva navinarka-kiranam
tanotu ksemam nastava vadana-saundarya-laharT
panvSha-srolah saraniriva sfmanta-saranih.
The partition of the hair on the head, like a route, increases beauty like route in th
midst of the beauty waves o f your face. Moreover, vermilion on your parting ha
resembles that the burden of the braid of your hair like the powerful enemy confines th
Morning Sun in the sky.
Tantras poetic diction is found61
vimla-kalydm-sphuta-rucird-yodhyd-kuvalayaih
krpd-para-bara kimapi madhura bhoga-latika
avantTdrstisle bahu-nagara-vistara-vijaya
dhruvam tattanriama-vyavaharana-yogya vijayate.
Your glance is wide, auspicious, impossible for blue - lotuses to rival, the base f
the flow of kindness, extremely sweet, protective and flourishes like the various capital
whose names are implied in the words used. There is a play on words in this stan/;

56. ATV, pp. 728-739.

57. Ibid, pp. 633-639.
58. Ibid, pp. 1417-1479.
59. PBS, pp. 96-97.
60. SL, 44 si.
61. Ibid, 49. si.

">

1:

Visala, Kalylnl, Bara, Madhura, Bhagavafi, Avanfi, Vijaya are the names of famuu
capital towns o f ancient India as also words carrying the meaning - wide, auspicious
impossible to rival, flow, sweet, protective and victorious.
The power of imagery in Tantra is impressive62
tavaparne karne-japa-nayana-paisunya-cakitah
niliyante loye niyatamanimesah sapharikah
iyafka mrhaddha-cchada-puta-kavatain kuvalayam
jaiiati pratyme niii ca vighatayya pravisati
Oh! Eternal one ! the open-eyed female fishes disappear in water, being afraid <
the eyes who carry tales to your ears. This is certain. The Goddess of Prosperity residin.
in your eyes deserts the closed blue lotus in the morning and re-enters it opening the petal
at night.
Beautiful eyes of women are always compared to fish and the blue lotus. Ik
poetic fantasy deems the eyes of the Divine Mother to be superior rivals.
Many examples of the literary value of Tantra are scattered thorughout the page
of different Tantra texts. Only a few examples are given here in order to show that th
Tantra works are, by no means, the works o f inferior writers.

62. Ibid, 55 si.